The task force studying the structure of the College of Arts and Sciences is seeking input from the community in the form of a survey.

The survey is the second of four that has been created by the task force. Members of the group — led by Karen Ford, the college’s senior divisional dean of the humanities — want to hear from the campus community about how the structure of the college affects learning and research.

“We are continuing our work to look at the ways our current structure works well and also for ways where we can improve,” said Ford, the task force chair. “This process can only be helped by thoughtful feedback and input from across the university. We hope as many people as possible will participate.”

Results of the first survey are posted on the provost’s website. The two final surveys will be posted and feedback will be sought in March and April.

The task force was formed in November 2018 at the request of Provost Jayanth Banavar and President Michael H. Schill. After members were selected, the two directed the task force to “conduct an analysis of the costs of and benefits to making structural changes to the division of academic programs currently housed in CAS, and those in professional schools which may better align with current CAS departments or vice versa.”

The task force first met in December, and members are in the midst of a series of meetings that have been open to the public.

Currently, task force meetings are scheduled through March, and more meetings and analysis are being scheduled through May. In the fall, the provost and president will set up meetings for faculty members and the University Senate to discuss the task force’s work.

In December, the administration is expected to update the UO Board of Trustees on the topic.

“This is a complicated assignment that calls for careful thought from a variety of perspectives,” Ford said. “The administrative structure of a college need not determine the academic structures, but it can support those academic endeavors, facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, and promote the educational and scholarly vision of the faculty. We’ve been asked to consider what college structure can best contribute to the UO’s mission and goals.”

The task force has created several work groups to look at different parts of CAS — research, teaching, internal administration and management, and external relations and management — in the context of four questions the president and provost have put to the group. They will also consider other college structures that might better serve the UO.

To get more information about the work groups and other documents being considered by the task force, visit the provost’s website.

—By David Austin, University Communications